Apr. 21, 2014 - 01:55PM
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WARSAW — The Russian Ministry of Defense has placed an order for its first 16 Mikoyan MiG-29 SMT jet fighters in the “new light tactical version,” Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG said in a statement

The fighters were modernized and fitted with improved ability to eliminate air, ground and sea targets with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, the statement said.

In comparison with the MiG-29, the SMT variant is considered three times more effective in combat, according to its manufacturer. In addition, the operational costs of the SMT version are 40 percent lower compared with the earlier variant.

The aircraft is equipped with a Zhuk-ME radar that enables tracking of up to 10 air targets and the capability to fire missiles at four targets simultaneously. The jet fighter entered serial production in 2004, but this marks the first order placed by the Russian Defense Ministry.

The amount of the latest contract was not disclosed by the aircraft manufacturer.

Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG is a part of the country’s state-owned defense giant Rostec. ■